AppendiX

Appendix A: SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING SELF-ASSESSMENT

Families who follow the ENABLE Special Needs Planning approach score 5 out of 5 in all five areas of planning, for a total score of 25.

Take our self-assessment to determine how well you’ve planned and whether your family is ready for the future!

Appendix B: Questions to Consider as You Create Your Special Needs Plan

Step 1: Vision Planning Questions to Consider What are your hopes and dreams for your child’s abundant life? What does a GREAT life look like for your child, in terms of their level of independence, social life, spiritual life, education, job or vocation, home environment, etc.? What abilities do you see in him or her that you want to encourage and nurture? What does a great life for your child look like now, in 10-15 years, and in 25+ years? What has been your child’s greatest accomplishment to date? o Why do you feel that this is his or her greatest accomplishment? o What made it such a great accomplishment? o Did your son or daughter see this as a great accomplishment, too?)

Step 2: Life Planning Questions to Consider What does a typical day in the life of your child look like (including times of day and routines/rituals)? Have you recorded names and contact information for all of the important individuals in your child’s life? (e.g., Family members, Friends, Doctors, Therapists, Government Benefit contacts)? o Where is this information stored? Have you documented other important information about your child? (e.g., details of your child’s medical health history, details about your child’s daily routines including weekdays and weekends, details about your child’s personality and preferences, details about your child’s dietary needs, medications, and food allergies, details about your child’s religious preferences, recreational activities, and other unique likes/dislikes)

Step 3: Resource Planning Questions to ConsiderHow have traditional and innovative therapies positively impacted your child’s life? What therapies/services have been most beneficial to your child?In what areas of your child’s life have they demonstrated exceptional levels of self-confidence? In what types of situations does your child feel most in his/her element?Right now – what abilities does your child need the most help developing (e.g., speech, motor skills, occupational skills, money skills, job skills/training, interpersonal skills)As your child’s abilities develop and change, what additional services could be beneficial?

Step 4: Financial Planning Questions to ConsiderHow much money will it take, in today’s dollars, to provide your loved one with all of the services, resources, and opportunities to ensure that he or she lives a great life?If you weren’t here to provide for your child, what are some activities and amenities you would want to make sure your child had access to?Does your personal/family financial plan align with your Special Needs financial plan?Is your financial professional aware of your Special Needs Vision, Life, and Resource Plans? Has he/she created your personal/family and Special Needs financial plans to achieve your outlined goals?Have you discussed your Special Needs financial plan with potential future guardians?

Step 5: Legal Planning Questions to ConsiderWhat level of monitoring and/or oversight does your child need to make wise decisions?Is your child currently able to make his or her own decisions regarding health care, financial matters, and/or legal matters? o Do you see this changing in the future?Have you selected and appointed a future guardian for your child, in the event of your passing or inability to care for him or her?Does your guardian understand the Special Needs Planning you have completed to date? Does he/she align with the goals of your plan and intend to carry out your plan according to your wishes?If you’re working with an attorney, does he/she understand your Vision, Life, Resource, and Financial Plans? Does his or her legal counsel and planning ensure that your goals for your child’s GREAT life will become a reality?